Mercedes-Benz, the German luxury carmaker, is increasingly looking at India as one of its top markets for the ultra-premium Maybach brand. With the number of billionaires and millionaires rising, the country is seeing a sharp growth in demand for high-end luxury cars.
Daniel Lescow, head of Mercedes-Maybach at Mercedes-Benz Group AG, said on March 19 that "India has become one of the most important global markets for the Maybach brand and could potentially rank among the top five in the coming years."
To mark its growing focus on India, Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series, priced at ₹4.2 crore across showrooms in the country. This two-seater, open-top luxury sports car, which had its global debut last year, is said to be the sportiest Maybach ever.
Mercedes-Maybach’s sales in India surged by 140 percent in 2024, with around 500 units sold to high-net-worth individuals. This rapid growth has already placed India among the top ten markets globally for the brand.
Historically, Maybach has had a strong connection with India, dating back to the 19th century when Indian royalty was among its earliest customers. Lescow suggested that "this legacy continues today, with India playing an essential role in the brand’s global expansion."
Santosh Iyer, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, says that the ultra-luxury segment remains a major focus for the company, receiving strong interest from India’s affluent customers. The news agency PTI quoted him saying "The Maybach brand is seen as a symbol of luxury and exclusivity, appreciated for its craftsmanship and custom design."
Mercedes-Benz India has been expanding its Maybach range, including the S 680 Night Series, GLS 600 Night Series, EQS 680 Night Series, EQS SUV, and the locally manufactured S 580 limousine.
The company also launched India’s first electric Maybach and opened the country’s first-ever ‘Maybach Lounge’.
The newly launched Maybach SL 680 Monogram Series is equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that delivers 585 horsepower and 800 Nm of torque. It features a 9-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system.
Mercedes-Benz claims that the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h. Deliveries of the model are expected to begin early next year.
